Indian Student Killed in Canada, Rising Violence Sparks Concerns

Another Indian Student Killed in Canada

In a devastating incident on April 17, 2025, Harsimrat Randhawa, a 21-year-old Indian student was killed in Canada after she was fatally struck by a stray bullet while waiting at a bus stop in Hamilton, Ontario, around 7:30 PM EDT. The shooting occurred near Upper James Street and South Bend Road, involving gunfire between occupants of a black Mercedes SUV and a white sedan. Randhawa, an innocent bystander, succumbed to a gunshot wound to the chest despite medical efforts. 

Harsimrat was a student at Mohawk College, pursuing her dreams in Canada after arriving from India. Known for her ambition and dedication, she was waiting for a bus near Upper James Street and South Bend Road when the tragedy occurred. 

Her loss has reverberated through her family, peers, and the Indian student community, highlighting the vulnerability of international students.

Hamilton Police have classified the shooting as a homicide and are conducting an investigation. They confirmed Randhawa had no connection to the shooters, emphasising her status as an innocent victim. 

Indian Student Killed in Canada Shooting

In a press conference on April 18, Hamilton Police Chief Frank Bergen described the act as “brazen”, while Acting Det. Sgt. Daryl Reid detailed the investigation, noting that video evidence shows a passenger in the SUV firing at the sedan before both vehicles fled. The police have issued a public appeal for dashcam or security footage from 7:15 PM to 7:45 PM on April 17, in the vicinity.

“We are deeply saddened by the tragic death of Indian student Harsimrat Randhawa in Hamilton, Ontario. As per local police, she was an innocent victim, fatally struck by a stray bullet during a shooting incident involving two vehicles. A homicide investigation is currently underway. We are in close contact with her family and are extending all necessary assistance. Our thoughts and prayers are with the bereaved family during this difficult time,” stated the Consulate General of India in Toronto on X. 

Fourth Indian Killed in Canada in 4 Months Raises Safety Fears

The Indian community in Canada, numbering over 1.3 million per Statistics Canada, is increasingly alarmed by such incidents, with Randhawa’s death marking the fourth Indian fatality in Canada in four months. These tragedies have fueled fear and demands for enhanced safety measures, posing a massive challenge for the Canadian government, which faces criticism for failing to curb gun violence. 

Canada’s law and order challenges are evident, with a 7.4% rise in violent crime from 2020 to 2023, according to Statistics Canada, and a notable increase in firearms-related offenses. Urban centers like Hamilton and Toronto have seen surges in gang-related shootings, often endangering bystanders. 

Recent cases of Indian students dying in Canada points to a troubling pattern. In December 2024, Gurasis Singh, a 22-year-old Indian student was killed in Canada after he was stabbed to death in Timmins, Ontario. That same month, Harshandeep Singh Anttal, a 20-year-old Indian student was killed in Edmonton in Canada while he was working as a security guard. 

Indian Student Killed in Canada Shooting, Fatal Tragedy Deepens Concerns

These incidents have further strained India-Canada relations, which were already under pressure following Canada’s October 2024 allegations against Indian officials in connection with the Hardeep Singh Nijjar case. In several cases involving the killing of Indian students, the families of the victims have expressed frustration, saying they are often left in the dark about how to navigate the legal system in a foreign country. They claim that assistance from the Indian authorities is limited and not readily available. In the past, families have also alleged that the Indian government has failed to effectively raise these matters with their Canadian counterparts. For Indian families, navigating foreign legal systems is daunting, compounded by language barriers, high costs, and limited support. 

In Randhawa’s case, Hamilton Police are analysing video evidence and pursuing leads, but no arrests have been made as of April 19. The investigation’s complexity reflects challenges in tackling gang-related violence in Canada. 

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